"Shippensburg University Says No More" at Take Back The Night Event

Shippensburg >> Dozens of students voices rang out through campus Tuesday night as Shippensburg University students marched chanting pleas to stop sexual violence. The university hosted the Take Back the Night event with the theme of "Shippensburg University Says No More" with student speakers and a special presentation from Kristen Houser, Vice President of the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape.

Sharicka Peters, the graduate intern with the women's center, introduced the evening and explained that the event was started as a "protest to women being told, for their own safety, don't go out tonight."

The event aimed to make it known "that sexual violence happens at all times any day," Peters said.

Opening the event was Shippensburg University President Jody Harpster, who spoke to the importance of participation in events like Take Back The Night.

"Your participation is encouraging," Harpster said, relating that the goal of events like it should be "to stop the sexual violence on campus today."

Harpster also emphasized how sexual violence has developed over the years, including the ways in which social media now play a role in shaming victims, even when people might be trying to help.

"People who post these things are either unaware of the harm or just don't care," Harpster said. "I urge you to continue to do your part. Together we can and will make a difference."

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When Houser took to the podium, she spoke about how the stigmas and societal response to sexual violence has changed since she was an activist at Penn State University in the early 90s. She said when she would march through her campus, people would shout degrading phrases at her and her companions. A student newspaper published articles about Take Back The Night with cartoons mocking the movement and feminism, she said.

Houser said she was excited about how much attitudes have changed since then, but remains disappointed in the lack of change in key areas.

"Rates of sexual assault have not changed, it's still around 1 in 4 women," Houser said.

After the fact, "victim blaming" is also still a huge issue House said, adding "the way it's done is the only thing that has changed."

As an advocate on sexual violence issues, Houser sees many misconceptions about what rape is and how it can happen.

"Sexual assault is not like the chicken pox," Houser said. "It doesn't only happen once."

The biggest improvement she has seen is people acknowledging that there is a problem, and that assaults are happening. And while she believes reporting has gone up, she still sees that survivors might not report if "they don't trust their community to support them."

Another improvement is the ability to talk about men who experience sexual violence, according to Houser. There are also more crisis centers that provide support and a greater understanding from the general public of what people can do to help.

After Houser spoke, Stephani Diaz and another representative of the student group Rape Educators and Contacts introduced members of the group and discussed the training they went through to assist in helping others with rape counseling.

A few other student speakers took their turns, and then the group marched through campus, shouting how they would not tolerate sexual violence and demanded change.

The event ended in the amphitheater, where many tearful stories were told by survivors and friends of survivors. The group supported each other as they spoke about their harrowing experiences, with many members of the organizing groups standing up with and supporting speakers who were struggling to share their stories.

A reverend was the last to speak after candles were passed through the crowd and light, with words of support for the community. The event ended on a moment of silence and the crowd pledging to continue to work to prevent sexual violence.

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